Diesel fuel and paint?

[Tom Richmond]

Hi there,

 

I moor on the river Avon between Bath and Bristol. We have recently experienced a large diesel leak into the river, the whole . It has been tracked to the heating tank of a local business. The environment agency are on the case, bit it has taken two days to isolate the source, so there has been significant impact. 

 

My question is this: How does diesel fuel affect the paint on the hulls of our boats? My boat has been epoxied, but most of my neighbours have regular blacking. 

 

Interested to know if we should be trying to clean our hulls, and/or if there will be some damage regardless, and we might be thinking about compensation?

 

Cheers for any help!

[WotEver]

Diesel dissolves bitumen. 

[RLWP]

Just now, WotEver said:

Diesel dissolves bitumen. 

If there is sufficient diesel to do so. Does a single molecule layer of diesel dissolve blacking? Not all blacking is bitumen

[WotEver]

Just now, RLWP said:

If there is sufficient diesel to do so. Does a single molecule layer of diesel dissolve blacking? Not all blacking is bitumen

Of course, no, and of course. 

[Tom Richmond]

The surface of the river has been covered in diesel for 36 hours. Any advice on cleaning it off boats?

[Boater Sam]

I'd leave it alone to evaporate.

Won't bother epoxy.